Allman Brothers Band makes new magic in Las Vegas

After 40 years, ABB continues to conjure up sonic wizardry

AP Photo/Las Vegas News Bureau, Bob Brye

The Allman Brothers Band playnat the Red Rock Station in Las Vegas Sunday, May 24, 2009.

By Mark Whittington (contact)

Monday, May 25, 2009 | 1:10 p.m.

AP Photo/Las Vegas News Bureau, Bob Brye

Gregg Allman of the Allman Brothers Band performs at Red Rock Station Casino, Las Vegas on Sunday, May 24, 2009.

More Sun music stories

Allman Brothers Band

The Allman Brothers Band turned back the clock Sunday night at Red Rock.

The band, touring to celebrate its 40th anniversary, put on a two-set, two-plus-hour show that reaffirmed its place in the musical firmament.

I was lucky enough to see the original band – fueled by the twin guitar lines of Duane Allman and Dickey Betts – at the Fillmore West. Suffice it to say, that night’s headliner, Hot Tuna, need not have bothered to play. The crowd wandered into the San Francisco night bathed in the Allmans’ magic.

But nine months later Duane was killed in a motorcycle accident, and bassist Berry Oakley died similarly a year later.

The band carried on. Betts’ guitar and Chuck Leavell’s piano were wonderful. But when I caught the Allmans shows, it just wasn’t the same.

So, when a friend – a young music fan who grew up on Nirvana but recently had been discovering the classic “Live at Fillmore East” – asked if the Allmans were worth seeing at almost $80 a ticket, I was tempted to give a jaded response about the old magic.

But I had seen the band a few years back, and I told him, “For 30 years, I would have said no, but this current lineup ranks up there with original.” So we decided to buy tickets and go.

The crowd – some in tie-dye, most old enough to see the originals – filtered into the pool area at Red Rock on a perfect night. No free apples. But then the Fillmore didn’t have blackjack dealers in bikinis either.

The Allman Brothers Band @ Red Rock

You need to upgrade your Flash Player

No opener either – which was a bonus.

The Allmans started the evening on time with the two songs that began its first album back in 1969 – “Don’t Want You No More” segueing into Gregg Allman’s growling vocals on “It’s Not My Cross to Bear.”

The band kept close to its roots with the Elmore James’ blues “Done Somebody Wrong” and “Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’” -- from the second album, “Idlewild South.”

At 61, Allman’s bluesy voice sounds as good as it has in years, and he laid down fine organ and piano lines throughout the evening. Only he and drummers Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson remain from the original band.

Percussionist Marc Quinones and bassist Oteil Burbridge now help power the signature cross-rhythms behind the jams.

But guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks provide the spark that rekindles the old Allmans’ magic. The two guitarist are similarly inventive but distinctive visually and sonically.

Haynes joined the Allmans when they reunited in 1989 and also replaces the late Jerry Garcia in the current version of the Dead. He wears his long brown hair flowing. He gives the band bite with his chocked back, distorted tone.

Trucks, just 29, is drummer Butch’s nephew and recently toured as the slide guitarist for Eric Clapton. He pulls his blond hair back tight in a ponytail. He fingerpicks and uses a glass slide and open tuning to coax clear, ringing tones from his guitar.

Their first real guitar battle came midway through the first set on “Woman Across the River.” Then Trucks’ guitar – played without effects – sounded like it was running backward through a loop during a magnificent solo on “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More.”

The drummers started a crazy jam as Burbridge dropped into a bass solo that seemed to resolve into “Leave My Blues at Home.” Don’t quote me on that as the music was taking me some place brand new but very familiar place at this point. I sure wasn’t listening to the lyrics.

As a cool breeze kissed the crowd, the guitarists began a soft line that flirted with the drums and everyone dropped into the distinctive opening riff of “Revival.” Gregg sang “People can you feel it? Love is in the air” to close the first set.

The fireworks between sets were a nice touch – but superfluous. The real fireworks were on stage.

The second set began with “Sweet Melissa” as old photos of the band showed on the backdrop – Duane in his mutton chops, Berry and Dickey and the original band looking so young.

The Allmans skipped forward in time for “End of the Line” and “Rockin’ Horse.” But the 12/8 rhythms, percolating bass lines and dueling guitars remained the same, still lifting the songs into outer space. The band rewound to its roots with “Statesboro Blues” and “Midnight Rider.”

At the end, the only choice was an extended version of “Whipping Post” with the guitars soaring and finally descending back to earth after 15 minutes.

For the encore, the Allmans brought out Las Vegas guitarist Chris Tofield for a rousing version of “One Way Out” with the crowd singing the chorus: “Might be your man, I don’t know.”

So, was it worth it? My friend smiled. He got to see and hear the magic live.

And I was reminded that “time goes by like hurricanes” and that an old band can make new magic happen every day.

Discussion: 5 comments so far…

By BelmontBluesMan

5/25/09 at 2:21 p.m.

Suggest removal

Ridiculously inflated ticket prices and (inflated) egos to boot, no thanks. That is the "New" Allman Brothers Band. It just isn't the same without Dickey Betts. The best Allman Brothers music can now be heard by attending a concert of Dickey Betts & Great Southern. DB&GS has a line up of musicians that rival the old ABB much more than the new ABB. Dickey (who has been grossly inaccurately portrayed in the press) is still all about the music (without the egos). DB&GS have the best bass player since Berry Oakley in Pedro Arevalo. Also, playing side by side with Dickey is his son "Duane" (guess who he is name in honor of?) and one of the best guitarists and instructors alive today, Andy Aledort. Mike Kach on the Hammond B-3 (and vocals) along with Frankie Lombardi on the drums. You just have to hear them live to understand what I am talking about. They are playing to packed houses all across the country and true to Dickey's slogan "Genuine Since 69" they keep the ticket prices reasonable. These guys truly are the hottest ticket in town. Catch'em if you can. You won't be sorry!
By AllmanFan4ever

5/25/09 at 9:08 p.m.

Suggest removal

I flew down from San Francisco for this show and was blown away at how good the band sounds. Derek Trucks is the real deal!, Warren Haynes is the busiest man in Show business and Gregg Allman is in great voice since recovering from a recent illness. Having seen the show the night before at the Fantasy casino, I was treated to approximately 20 different songs over the two evenings and couldn't have walked away any happier. The musicianship is on par with line up from the early seventies and with Dickey Betts' departure the current band mates seem in perfect harmony with none of the over dramatic episodes that Mr. Betts used to provide. Go see them. You will believe.
By blowed55

5/25/09 at 11:05 p.m.

Suggest removal

belmont bluesman.must have smoked urself retarded.i've seen the band too many times to count since warren joined in 89 or 90 dickie wrote some of their best suff ,liz reed, ramblin man southbound, but the best is blue sky.having said that he was a train wreck in the 90's most of the time.derek just alluded to this fact in the current guitar world. he was sloppy and pissed off for most of 6 times i saw them with warren.at the alladin theatre he alone killed ramblin man. i was almost sad for him .now i've seen the current lineup only 5 or 6 times and they killed it every nite. saw them with woody he was great but oteil, cmon this is the best live band alive my only hope is they don't quit anytime soon.warren and dickie were really good some nites warren and derek are on kill every nite and brother gregg is the singinest white boy ever.the other guitar player in my band saw dickie recently,said andy was ,is amazing dickie was sloppy as hell acted like he didn't give a damn. and last the band didn't set the prices it's the venue,how many can it hold etc. thanks for lettin me vent
By Harley

5/26/09 at 7:30 p.m.

Suggest removal

Unfortunately, we were disappointed as well.

We went to Red Rock with the intension of seeing the Allman Brothers Band. There was a line of people from the pool entrance to nearly the east parking lot when we arrived, which was 30-minutes before the doors opened at seven.

We approach the box office on the opposite end to purchase tickets which took us by the pool/concert entrance.

We stopped and observe.

They had what resembled a seen from the airport with TSA type agents wearing gloves at the pool/concert entrance. Long folding-tables, large plastic garbage cans to welcome guests. We strolled up to one of the 'agents' and asked if it was okay to bring our plastic water bottles into the three hour show, he said NO!

I thought for a second, they want us to pay $152 to stand in a crowd for three hours and the indignity to confiscate our plastic water bottles?

I replied to the down-syndrome looking TSA chap that said NO that he just lost the sale.

Leaving, we stopped (since it was early) at our favorite micro-brewery where we enjoyed some of the best beer in town for free, won some money at video poker listening to Zeppelin while watching the second-half of the Eastern Finals.

The establishment had a friendly drunk that greeted us good luck and an even friendlier bartender that greeted us with his name that didn't confiscate our water, search our possessions or make us stand in a crowd. The atmosphere allowed us to breath, sporting a handful of patrons with plenty of available seats.

We had a blast!

We're still hoping to see the Allman Brothers live one day, knowing they rarely travel west of the Mississippi, we realize however, it just won't happen at Red Rock, in fact, nothing will ever be at Red Rock in the future for us.

BTW: The bartender summoned a cab that escorted the friendly drunk home.
By skydogv

5/26/09 at 11:33 p.m.

Suggest removal

Well, all you gotta do is look at a couple of videos of Dickey Betts recent playing on youtube to discover that his raging life style and foul temper has done him in.

I feel for the guy, his solos start with a familar ring and then fizzle into a realm of no ryhmn or reason. Sounds like hes reachin for notes he forgot how to play.

I saw every Beacon performance this year and I tell you, I have been following ABB since their beginning and this band is as good as they have ever been period. They are in top form and the guitar battles are something to behold between Warren and Derek.

Go to www.moogis.com and lay down $15.00 on a monday and witness glory in bloom! My favorite was the second night Eric clapton played with them,. March 20. wow, twin leads with Derek and EC on In Memory of Elizabeth Reed! No finer playing anywhere!

In his good years Dickey was awesome with wonderous melodies and instrumentals! He is a shell of his former self. Never could understand why Duane always loomed large over his head!

Forget Great Southern, go see a ABB show. you wont be sorry.